Ramaphosa calls for tolerance on Human Rights Day as opposition parties slam govt for making empty promises

JOHANNESBURG - As the Sharpeville massacre victims were remembered, political parties flocked to the township to commemorate and campaign ahead of the elections.

President Cyril Ramaphosa gave his official address at the George Thabe Stadium on Thursday afternoon to mark Human Rights Day.

He said while the country had come a long way in the 64 years since the massacre, the journey was far from complete.

"The rights for which the residents of Sharpeville fought, the rights that are now enshrined in our Constitution, have yet to be fully realised for all South Africans."

Ramaphosa also reflected on 30 years of freedom, saying that there needed to be more tolerance in society.

"We must resist efforts of those who want to take us backwards, who express reactionary and hateful views to those in the LGBTQIA+ community."

Meanwhile, opposition parties, including ActionSA, BOSA and AZAPO, held a counter-Human Rights Day event.  

ActionSA's Herman Mashaba said that the governing African National Congress (ANC) had neglected the people of Sharpeville but were turning up now during election season.

"They are insulting the residents going around making wild promises while the country is in big trouble."